After surrendering at least 50 percent shooting in four
consecutive games, the Mavericks knew they could forget about any
stress-free victories until they regained a defensive presence.

They finally did that in the fourth quarter Tuesday night.

The Mavericks hounded the Los Angeles Clippers into 1-of-9
shooting to start the fourth quarter and went on a 22-3 surge to
ice what would become a 106-96 victory at American Airlines
Center.

Yes, it was only the Clippers. But after losing three of four
games, the Mavericks were in no position to take anybody for
granted, particularly in a crazy game that Dirk Nowitzki was
ejected from early in the third quarter.

The Mavericks were cruising along just fine until Nowitzki got
the thumb. After that, it was a struggle as the Clippers took a
75-71 lead late in the third.

From there, it was Jason Kidd's show.

On his 37th birthday, Kidd turned back the clock as he seems to
do on a regular basis. Kidd put on an offensive show with a
season-high 26 points to go with 12 assists and six rebounds.

It was Kidd and rookie Roddy Beaubois who started the fourth
quarter with buckets that put the Mavericks up 81-77, and Brendan
Haywood followed with a three-point play.

After Baron Davis hit a 3-pointer for the Clippers, the
Mavericks scored 14 unanswered points to go up 98-80 and earn a
solid win without their superstar.

For Nowitzki, it was his first ejection since Dec. 26, 2008, at
Utah. He felt he was fouled when former Maverick Drew Gooden pushed
him in the back while retrieving an offensive rebound.

Nowitzki jawed at referee Bill Kennedy, who gave him a quick
technical. When Nowitzki persisted, Kennedy wasted no time giving
him a second technical foul, which brings with it an automatic
ejection.

So Kidd went into overdrive, which the Mavericks needed.

Gooden, traded by the Mavericks in February, had a huge night
with 24 points and 19 rebounds.

Gooden still likes Mavs: If Gooden had his way, he'd still be
playing for the Mavericks. And he said he hopes the door is open
for a possible return this summer.

Gooden is with the Clippers after getting traded in the Caron
Butler, Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson deal. Washington moved
Gooden on to LA.

Gooden said he still thinks about the Mavs.

"I started here and committed myself to this team and sacrificed
for this team, and I had a goal," he said. "I wanted to finish it
out. But sometimes in this league, it doesn't happen. Would I like
to be back in a Mavs' uniform and finish off the season's goals? Of
course. But it didn't work out that way."

The Clippers are Gooden's ninth team in eight seasons. He admits
he's become a little jaded with the constant moving around. But he
added he would not hold the trade against the Mavericks.

"I didn't want to leave," he said, "but it was something that
made the team better."

Coaching candidate? LA Clippers assistant coach and longtime
Houston resident John Lucas said before Tuesday's game that he has
an interest in the University of Houston coaching job.

The Cougars are looking for a new coach after the departure of
Tom Penders, who got them to the NCAA Tournament this season by
winning the Conference-USA tournament.

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